Front-axle radius rod



Aug. 5. 1924.

B. L. LIGHT FRONT AXLE RADIUS ROD Filed Aug. 24 1923 W Mme/11o Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

UNETEE STATES BOLIVAR L. LIGHT, OF ROGERS, ARKANSAS.-

FRONT-AXLE RADIUS ROD.

-App1ication filed August 24, 1923.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BOLIVAR L. LIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rogers, in the county of Benton and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Front-Axle Radius Rods; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in radius rods for the front axles of automobiles, paricularly Ford trucks and the lighter models.

It is one object of the invention to provide an improved radius rod having a shoulder near its front end to abut the rear side of the axle and provided with unique means whereby tight contact of this shoulder with the axle, will be insured.

lVith the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the front axle and one side bar of the frame, illustrating one of the 1111- proved radius rods associated with these parts.

Figure 2 is a detail longitudinal sectional view through the front end of the radius rod and the axle.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the front end of the rod, showing more particularly the cavity in which an adjustable eccentric is received.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the adjustable eccentric.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views as indicated by lines 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing more particularly the construction for mounting the rear end of the radius rod.

In the drawing above briefly described. the numeral 1 designates a radius rod of straight fo r m, preferably constructed throughout the greater part of its length, of metal tubing. The front end of the rod 1 is provided with an enlarged head 2 having a lip 8 to extend forwardly under the front axle A, said head also having shoulders or claws 4 to engage the lower rib R at the rear side of the axle. The lower side of the lip 3 is formed with a cavity 5 which is preferably provided with a plurality of Serial No. 659,200.

flat sides 6, all inclining toward the axis of the cavity. The smaller end of the cavity 5 preferably opens directly through the upper side of the lip 3.

An eccentric 7 is received in the cavity 5 and is formed with an opening 8 to receive the usual spring perch bolt B which secures the front end of the radius rod to the axle A. This eccentric, in the construction shown, is provided with a plurality of flat faces 9 to co-operate with the sides 6 in holding said eccentric in any position to which it may be adjusted. It will be seen that by turning or adusting the eccentric 7 in the cavity 5, the distance between the bolt hole 8 and the shoulder 4, may be varied, thus insuring that said shoulder shall tightly contact with the rear side of the axle A, regardless of slight imperfections in manufacture. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt B, the eccentric 7 is tightly held and fill? entire head 2 is securely fastened to the ax e.

For connecting the rear end of the radius rod 1 with a side bar of the chassis frame F, I prefer to provide the construction shown. A bracket plate 10 is sultably secured at its upper end to the side bar said upper end being preferably extended forwardly as in dicated at 11 to be secured by one of the usual bolts now on the machine. In addition to this securing means, the plate 10 is provided with a lateral flange 12 to underlie the frame bar, to which it is secured by bolts or rivets.

The lower end of the plate 10 is formed with a hemis fherical socket 13 and with a spring channel 14 opening into the rear side thereof, and a cap 15 is secured by bolts 16 to said plate, said cap having a hemispherical socket 17 and a spring channel 18 which register with the aforesaid socket 13 and channel 14. The two sockets jointly receive a ball 19 on the rear end of the rod 1, while the channels 14 and 18 receive a com )ression spring 20 which engages the rear side of the ball and thus absorbs rearward thrusts on the radius rod 1.

By employing the construction shown and described or a substantial equivalent thereof, it will be obvious that a marked improvement has been effected over machines of the type in which the radius rod thrusts rearwardly upon the motor and its hangers. By the use of my invention, all of this thrust is placed directly on the two side bars of the Excellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed and they may therefore be followed if desired, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, minor changes may of course be made.

I claim:

1. A front axle radius rod having a lip to extend under the axle and a shoulder to abut the rear side of the axle, said lip having a cavity in one side, and an eccentric in said cavity having an opening to receive the usual radius rod attaching bolt, said eccentric being adapted for rotary adjustment in said cavity to vary the space between its bolt hole and said shoulder and insure tight contact of the latter With the axle.

2'. A structure as specified in claim 1; said eccentric and lip having coacting surfaces preventing accidental rotation of the eccentric after adjustment.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1; said cavity being formed in the bottom of said lip said cavity and eccentric being polysided about their axes and having their contacting sides inclined toward said axes.

4. A front axle radius rod having a lip to extend across the axle and a shoulder to abut one side of such axle, and a horizontal eccen trio carried by said lip and formed With an opening to receive a bolt for attaching the rod to the axle, the distance between said opening and said shoulderbeing variable by rotary adjustment of said eccentric;

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

BOLIVAR L, LIGHT; 

